7 grammatical tenets for clear, cohesive writing

Every writer should know the foundations of grammar.

Even if you flout them—occasionally, and for particular effect—understanding the tenets of syntax, parts of speech and parallel construction are crucial for clear communication.

Here are seven key concepts:

1. Subject-verb agreement

Use singular verbs for singular subjects and plural verbs with plural subjects. A verb should agree with its subject, not with an intervening modifying phrase or clause: “The box of cards is on the shelf.”

Singular verbs are appropriate with the following parts of speech:

2. Nominative and objective pronouns and reflexive pronouns

Pronouns are sometimes misused when a phrase contains more than one object. For example, although “My sister and I are coming” is correct because “My sister and I” is the subject and therefore the nominative I is appropriate, “He invited my sister and I,” is wrong because “my sister” and I are the objects, and the pronoun should be in objective form (me, not I).